03 September 2010A West Kingsdown benefit cheat has been successfully prosecuted by Sevenoaks District Council after he illegally claimed more than £900 in benefits.
Thirty-six year old Gary Webb of Southfields Road, West Kingsdown appeared before Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on 27 January where he pleaded guilty to two charges of benefit fraud.
A routine investigation, carried out by Sevenoaks District Council, found that Mr Webb failed to inform the Council that his partner had started work which would have affected his benefit payments.
As a result of his actions, Mr Webb illegally claimed £670.57 in Housing Benefit and £235.37 in Council Tax Benefit. Sevenoaks District Council began legal action against Mr Webb when it was established that he had previously received a benefit caution for an offence, which meant he had previously admitted illegally claiming benefit and received a warning.
At court, Mr Webb was given a conditional discharge, to run for a period of 12 months, which now means he has a criminal record. He was ordered to pay £100 towards costs and the illegally claimed benefit will now be taken from Mr Webb's current benefit entitlement.
Cllr Brian Ramsay, Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for finance, says: "Benefit cheats are effectively stealing tax payers' money which otherwise could be spent on important local services. We will do all we can to stop those who cheat the system and our routine checks demonstrate that we are closing in on benefit fraudsters."
If the public has any information relating to benefit fraud, they can call Sevenoaks District Council's confidential benefit fraud hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 01732 227445.
